Akamai brings application acceleration to the data center

Network Optimization This newsletter is sponsored by Akamai Tolly Group: Web Acceleration Testing In this whitepaper learn the results behind Tolly's extensive tests pertaining to improving performance for Web applications. Read it today. Network World's Network Optimization Newsletter, 10/11/07 Akamai brings application acceleration to the data center By Ann Bednarz Interest in application acceleration technologies is heating up -- and fast. In the last newsletter I mentioned briefly a new Gartner report that predicts end-user spending on application acceleration equipment will grow by nearly 40% in 2008, reaching $3.3 billion. To capitalize on enterprise interest, vendors are readying new and improved wares. The latest is Akamai Technologies, which is looking beyond the acceleration of Web-based applications with its latest managed service offering. Unveiled this week, the Akamai IP Application Accelerator service is designed to optimize the delivery of all classes of IP-based applications, not just those that are delivered over a Web browser. It can accelerate applications delivered by any protocol running over IP -- including IPSec, SSL, and user datagram protocol (UDP) -- or accessed via VPN. For example, the IP Application Accelerator service can optimize client/server apps such as CRM and ERP; VoIP; live chat; and administrative functions such as secure file transfers. Executive Guide: Stay ahead of the data growth curve Get real-world advice on how to best deal with the explosion of data across nearly every enterprise today. This informative executive guide offers IT professionals detailed information on new technologies such as ILM and FANs, specific pitfalls to avoid when deploying ILM, as well as solid case studies. Download This Executive Guide One key thing that’s different about the service is that it relies on local hardware (Akamai’s other application acceleration services are software-based.) With IP Application Accelerator, a pair of Akamai servers sits at each customer site, tied to the customer’s application servers. But enterprises don’t have to trouble themselves with the gateway devices, says Neil Cohen, Akamai’s senior product marketing manager. Akamai will install and maintain the devices in place at enterprise sites. “This is a managed service, so the boxes are configured and remotely monitored by Akamai. The customer doesn’t buy the boxes or worry about administrating the boxes,” Cohen says. “It’s all part of the managed service offering and included in the regular monthly recurring revenue service.” In addition, there’s no need to install client-side software, which makes it easier to support users who lie outside of IT’s direct control, such as remote or mobile employees, business partners and customers, Cohen says. The new service builds off Akamai’s existing techniques for gauging and responding to Internet conditions, including dynamic mapping, route optimization and packet redundancy. It works in conjunction with Akamai’s distributed computing platform, which it calls EdgePlatform. The platform is a network of 25,000 servers in 69 countries that are equipped with software to tackle Internet congestion. The service works this way: Akamai’s mapping software points an end-user request to a server on the Akamai EdgePlatform network, then its route-optimization technology identifies the fastest path to the customer’s data center, where an Akamai gateway device intercepts the packets and forwards the data to the origin server. The origin server then sends response packets back to the on-premise Akamai server, which forwards the data to the originating Akamai edge device, which receives the packets and sends the requested data to the end user. Along the way, Akamai employs packet loss reduction techniques to mitigate the effects of any packet loss. The Akamai IP Application Accelerator service is generally available today.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Ann Bednarz is an associate news editor at Network World responsible for editing daily news content. She previously covered enterprise applications, e-commerce and telework trends for Network World. E-mail Ann. This newsletter is sponsored by Akamai Tolly Group: Web Acceleration Testing In this whitepaper learn the results behind Tolly's extensive tests pertaining to improving performance for Web applications. Read it today. ARCHIVE Archive of the Network Optimization Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007